Checking the engine light

When the 'check engine' or 'service engine soon' light begins glowing while you're driving, there may not be an emergency. Often the light will come on for a short time and then go out. This usually happens during conditions of excessive strain on your car's engine. If the light fails to go out, you should have your car checked by a mechanic as soon as possible. Most cars have a series of warning lights. An amber or orange light means you can keep driving, but pay attention to anything abnormal like smells, vibrations, or strange gauge readings. A red light usually means you should stop right away. Your mechanic may be able to more easily figure out what's wrong with your car if you remember what happened just before any warning lights came on. Contact a qualified mechanic in your area for more information on the warning lights in your car.